Development of a questionnaire to measure self-conscious emotions in patients with COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a respiratory condition which can severely limit physical and social activities. Self-management and pulmonary rehabilitation programmes are commonly used to enhance clinical outcomes and quality of life in patients with COPD. However, completion rates for treatment programs are low and psychological factors remain poorly understood. The current literature review aimed to explore the impact of self-management programmes on psychological wellbeing in individuals with COPD. Four electronic databases were searched and fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Findings suggested that self-management programmes appeared to have some beneficial effect on psychological wellbeing, however due to the lack of good quality studies and methodological limitations, strong conclusions could not be drawn. Conclusions suggested a need for a more standardised and theoretically driven approach to be taken, and for future research to look at a wider definition of psychological wellbeing factors. The current empirical study aimed to develop a brief and clinically-based questionnaire that could be self-administered in outpatient settings to assess the level of self-conscious emotions experienced by patients with COPD. An empirical approach to scale development was utilised across four phases to develop the COPD Self-conscious Emotion Scale (CSES). Principal Component Analysis of the CSES suggested an 11-item measure comprising an underlying two subscale structure of ‘guilt and embarrassment’, and ‘shame-based avoidance’, best fitted the data. Findings were discussed in relation to previous literature, and clinical implications and recommendations for future research were suggested. The critical appraisal presents a reflective account of the research process, including the trainees’ professional and personal development, with the aim of maximizing transparency.